Written by Ruth Moon Lopez
With synchronous zoom calls, weekly quizzes and countless pages of assigned readings, you may find yourself barely keeping your head above water at this moment. The good news is you are definitely not alone in this feeling of fatigue and the even better news is that there are strategies to help with and reduce whatever amount of stress you may be under right now.
This pandemic has probably limited a majority of us to the comfort of our own homes, which is why it is now more important than ever to get in those few minutes of fresh air. Whether you walk, bike, jog or even just take the initiative to step out into your backyard or balcony, not only will this serve you a good change of scenery but your body will also thank you! The new atmosphere will allow you to clear your head and boost endorphins, which as a result, reduces stress hormones. In addition, make sure you are masked and socially distant from others if you are in a public area.
Whether you are an avid music lover or turn the radio on once in a while, listening to music is another effective and if not the most accessible way to reduce stress. While classical music in particular has been scientifically proven to soothe our bodies, any music in particular has been known to fill your brain with chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, also known as those “feel-good” chemicals. So, crank up your favourite song or pick up that old guitar you have lying around!
Do you like bananas? Bananas are high in potassium and potassium serves a great role in
regulating blood pressure, which can rise and fluctuate when stressed. If you are not too keen on bananas, there is no reason you should not treat yourself to something a bit sweeter or junky, especially after all that studying you have done. However, it is important to always limit your snacking intake. Something of good balance, such as a Hershey’s kiss, is the perfect sized solution for both your sweet tooth and stress level.
If you have never considered to exercise your green thumb, now might be a better time than ever. Plants have not only been proven to purify the air we breathe, but they also help us relax and calm down. According to a study held in Washington State University, “stressed-out people who entered a room full of plants had a four-point drop in their blood pressure, while a comparison group who didn’t see plants dropped only two points.” (Huffington Post). Who knew investing in one or two office plants could be so beneficial?
Although this year’s university experience was probably not like the ones we envisioned in our heads, it is important that we keep pressing forward and never forget the reason why we are working towards the goals we have set for ourselves. Let us hope that one day we can all look back at our time spent during our academic years and realize that all that hard work finally paid off.
Works Cited
Huffington Post. www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/stress-relief-that-works_n_3842511.
“6 Ways to Destress During the End of the Semester.” Her Campus, 2013,
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